Pakistan’s federal government has issued a comprehensive ban on the use of private email accounts for all official correspondence across public sector institutions, including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The move is intended to strengthen data security and protect sensitive government information from cyber threats. A formal circular referencing an earlier directive from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) instructs all government departments to immediately cease using personal email services such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail for official communication.
According to the MoITT letter cited in the circular, continued reliance on private email accounts poses a significant risk to national security, data confidentiality, and information integrity. The National Telecommunication and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) has repeatedly highlighted that private email servers are not part of the government’s secure digital infrastructure and are highly vulnerable to cyberattacks, unauthorized access, and data leaks.
The circular requires that all official correspondence—including formal documents, reports, and inter-departmental communications—be conducted exclusively through registered government email addresses. Administrative secretaries and heads of departments have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the policy and to communicate the directive to all subordinate offices without delay.
Officials have also warned that any security breaches arising from the use of unauthorized or private email accounts will be the responsibility of the concerned officer or institution. The government’s decision aligns with broader efforts to modernize Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity measures, and maintain the confidentiality of official information across public sector institutions.
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